Farmers in Lusangazi District have been encouraged to adopt climate-smart and diversified farming practices to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking during a Field Day, the District Agriculture Coordinating Officer (DACO), Mr. Friday Sikombe emphasized the importance of understanding seed types before planting. The office noted that knowledge of seed varieties helps farmers determine the correct treatment methods, fertilizer application, soil suitability, and appropriate planting time.
Farmers were also urged to prepare adequately for the upcoming farming season by stocking essential inputs such as seed, fertilizer, and weed killers to avoid losses and failed investments.
In his remarks, the DACO encouraged farmers to practice versatile farming, stating that different crops thrive in different seasons and can ensure year-round food availability. He further advised farmers not to sell all their produce, warning that doing so may lead to food insecurity and poverty. Farmers were also encouraged to agree on fair and profitable pricing within their communities to avoid exploitation by unscrupulous buyers.
He reaffirmed the critical role farmers play in national development, stating that “a farmer feeds the nation, and no nation can thrive on hunger.”
The Field Day also featured demonstrations and guided tours of selected experimental fields, aimed at equipping farmers with practical knowledge on climate-smart agriculture, especially in the face of drought and erratic rainfall.
The Guest of Honour and Council Secretary, Mr. Tembo Sekani, thanked the organizers for hosting the important event and highlighted the significance of agriculture in economic development. He noted that the gathering was not only for showcasing farming activities but also for sharing knowledge and improving farming methods.
Mr. Sekani commended farmers for embracing agriculture as a business, contributing to both household food security and national economic growth. He particularly encouraged young people to take agriculture seriously, describing it as a viable source of employment and income.
He further highlighted government support through initiatives such as Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans aimed at promoting irrigation farming. He called on farmers to collaborate with government and other stakeholders to enhance agricultural productivity.
Mr. Sekani also expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema for supporting the agricultural sector and setting ambitious production targets for maize and soya beans to ensure food security for the nation and beyond. He reminded farmers of the Republican President’s vision of making Zambia the food basket of Southern Africa, stating: “The President’s overarching goal is ambitious but achievable: to produce 10 million tonnes of maize, 1 million tonnes of wheat, and 1 million tonnes of soybeans annually by 2030. This is the ’10-1-1′ vision, and it represents our commitment to become the undisputed food basket of the Southern African Development Community region.”
He urged farmers to remain committed while protecting the natural environment to mitigate future climate challenges.
Meanwhile, an officer from the Department of Fisheries and Livestock, Mr. Hapeya, encouraged farmers to apply the knowledge gained during the Field Day in their daily farming activities.
Speaking on behalf of the farming blocks, Mr. Bechwani delivered a vote of thanks, appreciating the organizers and stakeholders for their continued support.
The host farmer, Mr. Godwin Banda, also commended the Field Day, noting that it provided valuable lessons that would greatly improve farming practices and promote climate-smart agriculture among farmers in the area.